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The Little Things


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Please share with me the little tips you've learned thru experience.

I was reading INCUBUSRATM's guide to beginners and was surprised to hear that warm water in the base improves the flavor. IT DOES!

I was told at a shisha shop that shiny side down, as the opposite reflects more of the heat outward and you'll have a harder time managing your heat? True? I have no idea but I also follow it.

I saw that many people believe that milk in the base improves the smoke. Not true for me anyway.

I noticed that the thinner the foil and the more holes, the better the taste.

If you are having "pull" problems, check the ball bearing in your air valve. They can get dirty or rusty or the air valve loosens up and you're getting headaches or not smoking well and it's that dumb little ball bearing causing the problems.
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[quote name='Scrappydoo' timestamp='1311679752' post='517262']
Please share with me the little tips you've learned thru experience.

I was reading INCUBUSRATM's guide to beginners and was surprised to hear that warm water in the base improves the flavor. IT DOES!

I was told at a shisha shop that shiny side down, as the opposite reflects more of the heat outward and you'll have a harder time managing your heat? True? I have no idea but I also follow it.

I saw that many people believe that milk in the base improves the smoke. Not true for me anyway.

I noticed that the thinner the foil and the more holes, the better the taste.

[/quote]


I'll answer a couple of your questions for a start:

Shiny side down or up really doesn't matter, use whichever you want.
Thinner foil is usually out performed by HD foil. Hole patterns depend on the brand you're smoking, what type of bowl it is, coal placement, etc. The foil and holes in said foil are the basis for good heat management.
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[quote name='Matto' timestamp='1311687451' post='517267']
[quote name='Scrappydoo' timestamp='1311679752' post='517262']
Please share with me the little tips you've learned thru experience.

I was reading INCUBUSRATM's guide to beginners and was surprised to hear that warm water in the base improves the flavor. IT DOES!

I was told at a shisha shop that shiny side down, as the opposite reflects more of the heat outward and you'll have a harder time managing your heat? True? I have no idea but I also follow it.

I saw that many people believe that milk in the base improves the smoke. Not true for me anyway.

I noticed that the thinner the foil and the more holes, the better the taste.

[/quote]


I'll answer a couple of your questions for a start:

Shiny side down or up really doesn't matter, use whichever you want.
Thinner foil is usually out performed by HD foil. Hole patterns depend on the brand you're smoking, what type of bowl it is, coal placement, etc. The foil and holes in said foil are the basis for good heat management.
[/quote]


I wasn't asking a question.
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[quote name='Scrappydoo' timestamp='1311679752' post='517262']

I was told at a shisha shop that shiny side down, as the opposite reflects more of the heat outward and you'll have a harder time managing your heat[b][size="4"]? True? [/size][/b] I have no idea but I also follow it.

[/quote]

Looked like a question to me, sorry if my input was unneeded.
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Im Also big on thin foil it cools down faster so when I take off the coal to talk to a customer I dont screw up my bowl
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Thick foil is better. Milk in the base does absolutely nothing. Hole patterns only do so much before the rest is on you. Let's also make sure we are perfectly clear for all the hookah world to know, foil side doesn't matter. AT ALL.

The warm water really does help though, glad you found it to be helpful for your flavor.

Helpful little tip I found useful: damp paper towel grommets. They may not be pretty, and you typically have to do them every other time, but the seal on them is better than any plastic/rubber/silicone grommet you can buy. Just lightly dampen a paperl towel strip, and wrap it around your hose or bowl port, insert. Works like a charm.
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[quote name='TheyCallMeDave' timestamp='1311714587' post='517323']
Helpful little tip I found useful: damp paper towel grommets. They may not be pretty, and you typically have to do them every other time, but the seal on them is better than any plastic/rubber/silicone grommet you can buy. Just lightly dampen a paperl towel strip, and wrap it around your hose or bowl port, insert. Works like a charm.
[/quote]

So true, I use damp paper towels as grommets for hoses bowls and bases
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Just recently well couple months now I replaced all my purge vavle bearings with the 6mm plastic ones..wow I so wish I would have done this sooner. No rusting and getting stuck. :) And I personally like thick foil with lots of pin holes, it works for me..lol and with you on milk in the vase, didn't work for me either..hehe
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[quote name='MichaelLCP' timestamp='1311708351' post='517312']
Never found a positive to using thin foil.
[/quote]

Amen.
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[quote name='JohnLightning' timestamp='1311736077' post='517379']
God, just tried your hot water tip on my Licorice nakhla tobbaco, its crazy lol. Thanks
[/quote]


Isn't that great! The first time I did it, I was blown away!
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[quote name='Epoch' timestamp='1311742216' post='517384']
[quote name='MichaelLCP' timestamp='1311708351' post='517312']
Never found a positive to using thin foil.
[/quote]

Amen.
[/quote]

I prefer it! I find it easier to get a tight seal, better flavor, faster to get started.
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a little think i learned and it help a little is premixing a little lemon juice in your water keeps your base from smeling i smoke throught the day and sometimes multiple flavor only change my water once a day so it help
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[quote name='Scrappydoo' timestamp='1311744234' post='517388']
[quote name='Epoch' timestamp='1311742216' post='517384']
[quote name='MichaelLCP' timestamp='1311708351' post='517312']
Never found a positive to using thin foil.
[/quote]

Amen.
[/quote]

I prefer it! I find it easier to get a tight seal, better flavor, faster to get started.
[/quote]

Thin foil always tears on me. Also on a small phunnel when I need to be precise about a hole pattern, it rips on me. Not good.
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[quote name='Scrappydoo' timestamp='1311744144' post='517387']
[quote name='JohnLightning' timestamp='1311736077' post='517379']
God, just tried your hot water tip on my Licorice nakhla tobbaco, its crazy lol. Thanks
[/quote]


Isn't that great! The first time I did it, I was blown away!
[/quote]

Just tried it again and it did give WAY more taste to my Lemon nakhla tobacco too.
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